July 13, 2021

 Aurelia was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B) on June 23rd. The outpouring of love and support we have received is amazing and we are still trying to return messages, so we thought this blog would be easier to keep everyone updated. 

A few months ago Aurelia began complaining about sore feet. She is part of an after school kid's trail running club, so we figured her shoes were worn out and bought new ones. That did not solve the issue so we went to the physio, doctor, etc. She had x-rays and ultrasounds that showed she had Sever's Disease--a foot/ligament problem when kids have an extreme growth spurt (which she had). So she had to stop her trail running club and mountain bike club and doctors told us it should heal in a few weeks. It did not heal at all and became worse...she was on crutches, then a wheelchair, then they casted both feet...nothing helped. She was tired but we thought it was from navigating around her school campus (which is large) on crutches and/or a wheelchair. 

The last day of school was June 22 and on June 23 Rory took her back to the pediatrician as we were concerned about her complete lack of healing (covid rules allow for only one parent). They did a blood test and immediately sent Rory and Aurelia to Sant Joan de Deu, the children's hospital in Barcelona. Due to Covid rules I had to wait at home for information, but as soon as Rory called I drove down and switched places with him. We have been taking turns staying with her (one parent allowed at a time) going back and forth to Girona (a little more than an hour away) but tomorrow we are moving down to Barcelona for the summer. My mother flew in from California as soon as she heard the news so she has been staying with Eston and they will both come to Barcelona with us. Eston is really missing his sister and we hope he can visit in a few weeks.

Aurelia is in one of the best children's oncology wards in Europe and people come from all over the world to receive treatment here. Her oncologists are really positive about her case as ALL is now one of the most well-researched and curable forms of leukemia. We feel really positive and take it all one day at a time.

Our life has been turned upside down as one never expects a diagnosis like this. The next two years of our life are going to look quite different than we ever imagined, but our daughter is fierce and strong. In the past days she has undergone blood transfusions, a barrage of tests, meetings with doctors, etc and she has never faltered. 

We thank everyone for their messages of love and support. Aurelia is always thrilled to hear from friends around the world and her room is covered with all of your cards. It means the world to all of us. I'll do my very best to update the blog as much as possible. Please forgive the lack of graphics and any grammatical/spelling errors.